I would like to offer insight into items discussed in “My Turn” published in a recent issue of the Tribune.

There is no intent to ban dogs from Pacifica’s Golden Gate National Parks. The restrictions proposed by the National Park Service affecting Pacifica refer only to several trails within our borders, on Mori Point and Sweeney Ridge; no changes will be made to Milagra Ridge. The purpose of the restrictions is to insure visitor safety, protect endangered species and sensitive habitats which could be disrupted by canine activity.

The National Park Service is the federal land use regulatory agency which manages the GGNRA. It is charged with upholding federal and state laws pertaining to endangered species, historic preservation, and visitor safety. Rather than relying on “poor science, coupled with overzealousness,” as cited in the article, biologists and natural resource management professionals work in conjunction with the park service. They strive to balance public recreation with the preservation of our environmental resources.

As dog owners, my family and I spent many an hour walking with Roscoe on the trails of Mori Point, Milagra Ridge, and Sweeney Ridge, enjoying Pacifica’s national treasure. A restriction from several trails would not have lessened the experience.

Ron Maykel

Rockaway Beach

Chamber directory

Editor:

I have just had yet another customer point out that they couldn’t find me in the directory that the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce puts out and I explained yet again that a few years ago the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce adopted a policy of only allowing their members to advertise there. At that time I had heard that our local Chamber had broken with the national Chamber which promotes the monopolies that are undermining and subverting our constitutional democratic republic and for that reason I felt that I might in good conscience be a member of the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce. I did join and had been a member for a year or so when it became clear that the Pacifica Chamber and I have differing agendas. My dues, and every other member’s dues, were being used to promote Caltrans plan to trash the south end of town with their my-way-or-the-highway widening project. They did this without asking the membership whether they wanted to support this bad idea. I could not in good conscience remain a member and so was not allowed to advertise in the directory. Luckily almost all of my business comes by word-of-mouth recommendations and the directory was mostly just a convenience for my customers. I apologize for any inconvenience my customers might now be experiencing. Let’s all pursue a multifaceted, nuanced, and intelligent approach to our traffic problems and not let the Pacifica Chamber of Commerce or Caltrans’ abuse of their positions force us into some kind of a “malfangled” future that we won’t enjoy. See ph1a-pacifica.weebly.com

Dan B. Underhill

Sharp Park

Thank you, Good

Samaritan

Editor:

As I hurriedly paid for my wares at Linda Mar Safeway today, my toddler reacted to my crime of removing the can of dog food from her clutches with a full-on meltdown. The cashiers and fellow shoppers not only remained patient amidst the screams, but a Good Samaritan in the form of a lady with two finger puppets appeared, graced my daughter with them, then disappeared with a smile. I believe I managed a thank you between cries, but would like to take the opportunity to thank this kind woman for blessing us with a drive home filled with exclamations of “kitty!” and tiger roars at the little feline finger puppet, instead of a song of sorrow. This kind act made such a positive difference in our day and I’m so grateful to this lady and community — what a wonderful place!

Shannon Allen Fern

Rockaway Beach

Affordable housing

Editor:

Thank you for the correction on page 2A of last week’s Tribune. The article stated the City Council is setting goals for next year and the term “low-income housing” was used rather than “affordable housing.”

This provides an opportunity to shine a light on two areas regarding “affordable housing.”

First, there is a growing and critical need for “affordable housing” in Pacifica and beyond. People are being squeezed and pushed out because housing costs are rising and they cannot afford to live here. One example of this, the many good teachers we have lost at Terra Nova High School for this very reason.

Second, what is meant by the terms “low-income housing” and “affordable housing”?

“Low-income housing” conjures up all kinds of negative images for some, like “the projects” for those old enough to remember that term. That was back in the day when families could afford to buy a house on one income. Yes, it’s true for those not old enough to remember!

“Affordable housing” today means just what it says — housing that regular working people can afford so they can live and work in our community, raise their families here, and not have to spend hours commuting further and further away to areas where the cost of housing is lower.

A recent flyer put out by Senator Jerry Hill states that people who are key to the local economy cannot even afford to rent a home.

To afford an average two-bedroom apartment a family needs an annual income of $76,200 in San Mateo County — significantly more than a childcare worker, clerk at Safeway, postal worker or a teacher in Pacifica can afford.